Vintage Rya Wall Rug - 'Satumetsä' by Aappo Härkönen - Finland, 1960s

A traditional Finnish ryijy - long-pile rya wall rug - by textile artist Aappo Härkönen, whose work is known for its dreamlike motifs and warm, nature-driven palettes. Satumetsä (“The Fairy Tale Forest”) brings that world to life with deep golden tones, stylised trees, and a quietly glowing atmosphere.

Hand-knotted in long-pile wool, the surface has that velvet-like depth only time can create. The creamy outer field frames the central image like a window into a forest scene, giving the piece a soft presence whether hung on a wall or used as a textile backdrop.

Rya rugs don’t just warm a space visually - they also soften acoustics and make a room feel calmer, more grounded, more lived-in.

A beautiful piece for collectors of Nordic textile art, or anyone looking to bring warmth, texture, and a sense of story into their home.

✦ 103 × 160 cm with tassels (103 × 146 cm without)
✦ Hand-knotted wool
✦ Designer: Aappo Härkönen
✦ Design: Satumetsä (“The Fairy Tale Forest”)
✦ Period: 1960s–1970s
✦ Made Finland
✦ Very good vintage condition with light, natural ageing to the wool

There's a sewn-in hanging sleeve on the back for easy wall mounting. A hanging rod is not included - any simple wooden or metal rod will do - but if you’d like us to provide one, just get in touch and we’ll sort it out.

Note on the designer
Aappo Härkönen (Kaino Lemmikki Härkönen, 1912–1991) was a Finnish artist and textile designer whose work often blended folklore, stylised nature motifs and a warm sense of narrative. Active in the mid-20th century, she created ryijys and textile patterns that balanced graphic clarity with softness - pieces meant to bring both atmosphere and artistry into the everyday home.

➤ FREE SHIPPING
This item ships for free within Finland! All orders over 100€ qualify - no code needed, it’s automatically applied at checkout.